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WHO COVID 19 LPC - DBMGMT 2020.1 Eng PDF
WHO COVID 19 LPC - DBMGMT 2020.1 Eng PDF
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Infection Prevention and Control for dead body management in the context of COVID-19: Interim guidance
Family and friends may view the body after it has 2. World Health Organization. (2007). Standard
been prepared for burial, in accordance with customs. precautions in healthcare.
They should not touch or kiss the body and should https://www.who.int/publications-detail/standard-
wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water precautions-in-health-care (accessed
following the viewing; physical distancing measures March 22, 2020).
should be strictly applied (at least 1 m between 3. World Health Organization. (2020). Infection
people). prevention and control during health care when
People with respiratory symptoms should not COVID-19 is suspected: interim guidance,
participate in the viewing or at least wear a medical 25 January 2020.
mask to prevent contamination of the place and https://www.who.int/publications-detail/infection-
further transmission of the disease to others; prevention-and-control-during-health-care-when-
Those tasked with placing the body in the grave, on novel-coronavirus-(ncov)-infection-is-suspected-
the funeral pyre, etc. should wear gloves and wash 20200125. (accessed March 22, 2020).
hands with soap and water once the burial is 4. Royal College of Pathologists (UK). (2020).
complete; Autopsy practice relating to possible cases of
Cleaning of reusable PPE should be conducted in COVID-19 (2019 nCov, novel coronavirus from
accordance with manufacturer’s instructions for all China 2019/2020).
cleaning and disinfection products https://www.rcpath.org/uploads/assets/d5e28baf-
(e.g. concentration, application method and 5789-4b0f-acecfe370eee6223/fe8fa85a-f004-4a0c-
contact time, etc.); 81ee4b2b9cd12cbf/Briefing-on-COVID-19-
Children, adults > 60 years, and immunosuppressed autopsy-Feb-2020.pdf (accessed March 22, 2020).
persons should not directly interact with the body; 5. World Health Organization. (2009).Natural
Although burials should take place in a timely ventilation for infection control in health care
manner, in accordance with local practices, funeral settings. World Health Organization.
ceremonies not involving the burial should be https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/44167
postponed, as much as possible, until the end of the (accessed March 22, 2020).
epidemic. If a ceremony is held, the number of 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
participants should be limited. Participants should (2020). Interim guidance for collection and
observe physical distancing at all times, plus submission of post-mortem specimens from
respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene; deceased persons under investigation (PUI) for
COVID-19, February 2020.
The belongings of the deceased person do not need
to be burned or otherwise disposed of. However, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/hcp/guidance-postmortem-specimens.html
they should be handled with gloves and cleaned with
(accessed March 22, 2020).
a detergent followed by disinfection with a solution
7. Kampf G, Todt D, Pfaender S, Steinmann E.
of at least 70% ethanol or 0.1% (1000 ppm) bleach,
Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces
and
and their inactivation with biocidal agents. Journal
Clothing and other fabric belonging to the deceased
of Hospital Infection. 2020;104(3):246-51.
should be machine washed with warm water at
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022
60−90°C (140−194°F) and laundry detergent. If
(accessed March 22, 2020).
machine washing is not possible, linens can be
8. Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as
soaked in hot water and soap in a large drum using a
Compared with SARS-CoV-1
stick to stir and being careful to avoid splashing. The
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc200
drum should then be emptied, and the linens soaked
4973
in 0.05% chlorine for approximately 30 minutes.
9. Kampf G, Todt D, Pfaender S, Steinmann E.
Finally, the laundry should be rinsed with clean
Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces
water and the linens allowed to dry fully in
and their inactivation with biocidal agents. Journal
sunlight.10
of Hospital Infection. 2020;104(3):246-51.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022
(accessed March 22, 2020).
10. World Health Organization. (2020). Water,
References sanitation, hygiene, and waste management for the
COVID-19 virus. Interim guidance: 19 March
1. Pan American Health Organization. Leadership 2020.
during a pandemic: What your municipality can do. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/33
Tool 18: Management of dead bodies. 1499/WHO-2019-nCoV-IPC_WASH-2020.2-
https://www.paho.org/disasters/index.php?option=c eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y (Accessed
om_docman&view=download&category_slug=tool March 22, 2020).
s&alias=545-pandinflu-leadershipduring-tool-
18&Itemid=1179&lang=en (accessed
March 23, 2020).
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Infection Prevention and Control for dead body management in the context of COVID-19: Interim guidance
Further references related to the management of Government of the United Kingdom. (2012), Pandemic
influenza: Guidance on the management of death
dead bodies in an influenza pandemic certification and cremation certification in a pandemic.
New South Wales Government (Australia). (2013). Handling https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/
of bodies by funeral directors during an influenza pandemic. system/uploads/attachment_data/file/216822/2012-06-21dh-
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Page template-guidance-on-management-of-death-
s/bodies-influenza.aspx (accessed March 22, 2020). certification.pdf (accessed March 22, 2020).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA). (2009).
Post-mortem care and safe autopsy procedures for Novel
H1N1 Influenza.
https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/post_mortem.htm (accessed
March 22, 2020).
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Infection Prevention and Control for dead body management in the context of COVID-19: Interim guidance
Procedure Hand hygiene Disposable gloves Medical mask Respirator Long sleeved gown Face shield Rubber gloves Apron
(N-95 or similar) (preferred) or anti-
fog goggles
Packing and Yes Yes Yes
transport of
the body
Mortuary care Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
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Infection Prevention and Control for dead body management in the context of COVID-19: Interim guidance
Annex II: Equipment for management of dead bodies in the context of COVID-19
Table 2. Equipment for procedures in mortuary management of COVID-19 bodies
Equipment Details
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licence.